Like so many other performing arts organizations, the
St. Louis Symphony
Orchestra (SLSO) has been obliged to increase its online
presence to keep its work visible during the pandemic. One of
the most impressive of efforts in this area is the “Songs of America” project.
NOTE: "Songs of America" is an ongoing project. This review represents the available performances on July 15, 2020.
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Malena Smith
Photo courtesy of the SLSO |
“Songs of America” is
a YouTube playlist featuring a solid half hour
of performances that, according to SLSO press materials, “celebrate
the breadth of voices in American music, framed against a backdrop
of St. Louis landmarks.”
Having had the chance to watch the entire playlist, I have to say
that that description is completely on target. This is a
tremendous collection of stellar performances of American tunes by
SLSO musicians and area singers.
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The SLSO Wind Quintet
Photo courtesy of the SLSO |
“Songs of America” opens with an arrangement for voice and string
quartet of “America the Beautiful” by Adam Maness of the crossover
string ensemble the 442s. Sung with tremendous heart by Malena Smith
of the SLSO IN UNISON chorus, the performance starts on the Powell
Hall stage then then shifts to Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park in
East St. Louis, with a panoramic view of downtown and the arch in
the background, finally returning to Powell for the last few
moments.
Up next is an irrepressibly jolly version of Scott Joplin’s “The
Easy Winners,” performed on the brick patio of the Scott Joplin
House. The arrangement by Kenneth Abeling for wind quintet and
percussion is reminiscent of the famous “Red Back Book” orchestral
versions of Joplin’s rags published here in 1912, but with a dash of
chamber music delicacy.
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The 442s
Photo courtesy of the SLSO |
The mood changes again with the transcendently beautiful “Lyric for
Strings” by George Walker (one of the first black graduates of the
Curtis Institute of Music), performed at the Soldier’s Memorial
downtown. Former SLSO resident conductor Gemma New leads nine
members of the symphony strings in a powerfully moving rendition. At
one point the music rises to elegiac heights while the camera pans
over a stone tablet engraved with the legend “those who made the
supreme sacrifice.” It’s one of those “lump in the throat” moments
that reminds me why I attend classical concerts.
Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come” is next, and while it’s a huge
contrast musically, it’s every bit as gripping. Brian Owens, a
familiar figure on the local music scene, shows his wide vocal and
emotional range here, accompanied by the 442s with arranger Adam
Maness on guitar. The performance at Kiener Plaza includes the arch
and the Old Courthouse in the background.
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Brian Owens
Photo courtesy of the SLSO |
The mood becomes jaunty again as Music Director Stéphane Denève
plays Brian Holland’s arrangement of W.C. Handy’s “The St. Louis
Blues” on the piano at his home. His swinging, good-humored take on
this classic is a reminder of how popular American jazz has always
been in France. The video includes shots of a number of local
landmarks, including the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Wall of
Fame mural with its images of local jazz and blues legends.
Kennedy Holmes wraps it up with a lovely, soaring “Amazing Grace” at
First Baptist Church. She’s accompanied by a quartet of SLSO string
players in yet another elegant Maness arrangement.
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Kennedy Holmes and SLSO string players
Photo courtesy of the SLSO |
In all of the “Songs of America” performances, the musicians are
clearly working at a safe distance from each other, and those who
aren’t playing wind instruments or singing are masked. Kudos to the
SLSO for setting such a good example.
The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra’s “Songs of America” concert is
available at the orchestra’s YouTube channel, along with a choice
assortment of other music videos, interviews, and behind-the-scenes
features. Information on this and other SLSO projects is
available
at their web
site.
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